Anthem MRX 710 7.1 A/V Receiver

Robert Kozel

Anthem's second-generation MRX receivers now offer more HDMI inputs, dual HDMI outputs, 4K upscaling and pass-through, faster HDMI switching and come in three models with the primary difference being the amount of amplification and number of channels. The entry level receiver is the MRX 310, which offers 80 watts per channel for 5.1 channels. The MRX 510 is the middle receiver in the MRX lineup and offers 100 watts per channel for 7.1 channels. The flagship model is the MRX 710, reviewed here, which offers 120 watts per channel for 7.1 channels. As for other differences between models, the MRX 710 and MRX 510 allow the front left and right speakers to be bi-amped. The MRX 710 and MRX 510 have seven rear and one front-panel HDMI input, while the MRX 310 has seven rear HDMI inputs. All three models support software updates via USB.

Receivers

Marantz PM6005 Integrated Amplifier and CD6005 CD Player

Don Disbennett

Marantz is one of the legendary names in audio and has remained a brand noted for high quality audio devices from power amplifiers to CD/SACD players, integrated amplifiers, home theater receivers and processors. The PM6005 integrated amp and CD6005 CD player are part of Marantz' Slim Line components and are updated versions of the PM 6004 integrated amplifier and CD 6004 CD player reviewed by Secrets' writer Jared Rachwalski in May, 2012.

 

Integrated Amplifiers

OmniMount PJT40 Projector Mount

Chris Heinonen

Compared to mounting a flat panel TV, installing a projector is a pain. You need to get the screen perfectly level and flush with the wall. Then you have to mount the projector to precisely line up with the screen. It has to be perfectly parallel to the screen or you'll see distortion. Getting the projector perfectly level usually means lifting it up to make small adjustments to the feet, placing the projector down, and checking again. Since I review multiple projectors every year, I do this dance too many. By the time I get a projector perfect it's almost time to box it up and send it back to the company. The PJT40 projector mount from OmniMount is designed to make this easier than before and so I decided to install one in my home theater to find out.

Audio Accessories Misc

M&K Sound

Secrets
Put simply and in all modesty, no other loudspeaker manufacturer in the world can rightfully claim the title of...
AV Directory

ADE-24.1 Analog Digital Enhancer

John E. Johnson, Jr.

The ADE-24.1 Analog Digital Enhancer is an accessory that has been around for a long time. It works at low voltage (e.g., RCA analog output from CD player, iPod, etc.) and manipulates the harmonics. I got one of these units at the California Audio Show and the demonstration definitely indicated that it could improve sound (make it sound more appealing, and widen the sound stage), so I decided to bench test it to see what it does.

Audio Accessories Misc

Which AVR Should I Choose: Anthem 710 or Pioneer SC-79?

Brian Florian

My dream of owning a Statement ended when I woke up realizing it wasn't going to happen. So, now I have narrowed my choice of AVR down to two. It's between a Pioneer SC-79 or the Anthem 710. Which would you recommend I go with. I would be looking for whichever one to be able to handle a medium to large size room. Bells and whistles don't mean a whole lot just the sound. I'm not a big music guy so most of its use would be for gaming and movies. I currently own the VSX-84txsi and have enjoyed it for seven years, but the 710 is very interesting to me (not to mention the fact, it's a thousand dollars cheaper). Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated and please keep up the good work. Thanks SECRETS!

- John Z.
Cockeysville, Maryland

SECRETS Home Theater Q&A

CES 2014 Final Thoughts

SECRETS CES 2014 Coverage Team

CES 2014 has come and gone, or in process of being gone with the breakdown of the many exhibits…..the attendance made even the Las Vegas Convention Center seem almost too small! The weather on the East Coast and Midwest really played havoc with many, we understand that many hotel rooms ended up empty, but sure did not seem like it! It is always a madhouse, but also good to catch up with so many friends.

Show Reports, Film Festivals and Concerts